Fielder jumped ship when ‘Aquitania’ arrived at Gauge Road, Fremantle on 15th January 1942. He was one of about 90 men from the 2/4th unable to re-board before ship sailed the following day headed for Singapore.

This group of men later sailed with a small convoy to Java where it was intended they be transhipped to Singapore to join 2/4th. However before they landed, it became evident Singapore would fall to Japan. Consequently the men were to remain in Java as reinforcements to the Allied troops. He was attached to Major Decrespigny Mobile Reserve. Fielder was captured on 9 March 1942 and incarcerated at

Bandoeng 9 Mar 42 to 13 Apr 42,

Bicycle Camp 13 Apr 42 to 3 Jan 43.

He was selected to work on the Burma-Thai Railway with ‘D’ Force Thailand, Java Party No. 6, P Battalion first sailing from Java to Singapore where they would spend about 2 weeks before heading by train to Thailand.